The embattled Headmaster of Obuasi Senior High Technical School, Mr Zakaria Abdulai, has resigned as the Juaben Constituency Secretary of the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) and withdrawn from the party’s constituency chairmanship race in the Ashanti Region.
His resignation follows a directive by the party’s Functional Executive Committee (FEC) ordering him to step aside to allow for an unhindered criminal investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct involving female students.
In a resignation letter addressed to the NDC General Secretary, Fifi Fiavi Kwetey, Mr Abdulai announced that both his resignation and withdrawal from the chairmanship contest took immediate effect.
“I write to formally notify you of my decision to resign from my position as the incumbent Secretary of the Juaben Constituency of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), with immediate effect,” he stated.
He added: “I also wish to formally withdraw my candidature for the position of Constituency Chairman in the forthcoming NDC constituency elections, effective immediately.”
Vows to Clear His Name
Despite his decision to relinquish his party position and abandon his chairmanship ambition, Mr Abdulai indicated that he would pursue lawful means to challenge the allegations against him.
He expressed gratitude to his friends, relatives and supporters who had maintained confidence in his innocence since the allegations became public.
“I wish to express my profound gratitude to my friends, relatives, and all well-wishers who have stood by me and maintained their faith in my innocence in the face of the allegations levelled against me and my office,” he said.
Mr Abdulai maintained that his immediate priority was to defend his reputation and seek vindication.
“At this time, I intend to devote my attention and resources to pursuing all lawful avenues to clear my name and vindicate my position,” he stated.
He also expressed optimism about returning to active politics after the matter had been resolved.
The former constituency secretary thanked the NDC for the opportunity to serve, describing his involvement in the party as a privilege.
NDC’s U-Turn
Mr Abdulai’s resignation comes after the NDC reversed its initial decision to permit him to contest the Juaben Constituency Chairmanship.
On Monday, October 19, 2026, the party’s FEC announced that it would not disqualify him from the race, citing fairness, natural justice and the presumption of innocence.
That decision followed the committee’s consideration of an investigative report by journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni, a Ghana Education Service (GES) committee report and a directive from the Minister for Education, Haruna Iddrisu, referring the matter to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service.
The committee had also invited Mr Abdulai to respond to the allegations before arriving at its initial decision.
However, in a subsequent statement signed by General Secretary Fifi Fiavi Kwetey, the party reversed its position and directed Mr Abdulai to step aside in the interest of transparency and accountability.
The FEC maintained that its directive did not amount to a determination of the allegations against him.
The party also instructed its Ashanti Regional and Juaben Constituency Election Committees to act in accordance with the new directive.
Criminal Investigation
Mr Abdulai is facing allegations of sexual misconduct involving female students at Obuasi Senior High Technical School, where he served as headmaster.
The allegations attracted attention following media reports, including an investigation by journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni.
According to the NDC’s earlier statement, the GES interdicted Mr Abdulai pending investigations, while the Education Minister directed the CID to undertake a comprehensive criminal investigation.
The NDC has described the allegations as extremely serious and reiterated its zero-tolerance position on sexual abuse and harassment, particularly involving students.
Mr Abdulai’s resignation brings his immediate political ambitions to an end, but the allegations against him remain unresolved.
His withdrawal from the contest does not determine his culpability, and the outcome of the criminal investigation remains pending.
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